Get ready for March Madness as we begin the busiest month for gardeners since October. While it still may rain or turn chilly for a day or two, the weather is ideal for tending to garden chores –planting, pruning, fertilizing and fine-tuning everything from perennial beds to backyard orchards and veggie patches. Remember to keep weeds in check, water if precipitation is inadequate and spread mulch to feed the soil. Rewards for all this work will be many next month, when gardens are glorious and beckon all to enjoy.

Get ready for the March 1 opening of the 2nd annual Master Gardener's Demonstration Garden at the Flower Fields. The 2015 garden focuses on the water wise and earth friendly plants from the five Mediterranean regions around the world including San Diego.

How earth-friendly is your garden? The things you do in your garden affect far more than just your own property. Our checklist will help you evaluate your current gardening practices and will suggest additional practices you can adopt to make your garden more earth-friendly and sustainable.